Do you think it is wrong to get a female dog nuetered?

We really want her nuetered, but some family friends are calling it cruel. We think it would be better if she does not have puppies, because we have no clue about breeding, etc, and don't want to breed puppies for fear of harm to our dog. There is already an overpopulation of dogs, so aren't we making the right choice?

Dogs do not go through life wishing to fufill a need to have children. Humans are one of hte few creatures who can reproduce basicly at any time. Monthly fertility is rather rare.

Dogs are affected by harmonal cycles. They desire to be bred because of sex harmoens. They tend to their litters becuase of other harmones and chemicals that drop into their system mixed with instinct.

There is no viciousness in alteration. It is a constant balance to have unalatered pets and frankly, for most people, its just easier when they are altered.

It's not wrong to get your pet neutered/altered. In fact, it can increase the life span of your dog, and minimize her risks of getting certain health problems like cancer and pyometra. For your 'friends' who say spaying your dog is wrong, tell them that you want as much time with her as possible, and you are doing it for her own health.

I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PET BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY UNWANTED ,NEGLECTED ANIMALS IN THE WORLD. AND EVERY DAY HUNDREDS OF THEM GET PUT TO SLEEP FOR NO REASON AT AL OTHER THAN PEOPLE ARE NOT FIXING THEIR ANIMAL FOR WHAT EVER REASON.

Neha, did the family members fuss when you had the other dogs fixed? A responsible pet owner would have them fixed. If you are going to breed the pet or show the pet then of course not! There are too many pets in the shelters because owners were not responsible and that is sad. Where do you live in Ohio? I live in Canton, Ohio where the Football Hall of Fame is. I have lived here all my life and I have been there twice, when out of town relatives came to visit and that is enough for me! Good luck with your decision and don't worry what family members think, it's not their decision to make.

Plus's to spaying a female dog (preferably before the 1st heat cycle) :

1.) Obviously, no unwanted puppies - especially if your dog is a smaller breed, if she accidently mates with a larger dog this can be REALLY risky. Depending on your dog's breed, some naturally have difficult deliveries and are prone to whelping related problems. Tell your family you don't want to roll the dice with your baby. Pyometra (uterine infection) more commonly happens to unbred dogs and can be lethal, requires a spay to fix it, and means your dog has to be really sick.

2.) Spaying elliminates some kinds of cancer (uterine ect...), but also reduces the risk of mammary cancer (especially if done before the first heat cycle).

3.) THE BIGGEST PLUS FOR PET OWNERS : Unaltered females are moody, have messy heat cycles, shed more, and tend to be more territorial and dominant. There is no reason for a "pet" to be unaltered because the biggest thing it does is make the dog harder to live with. Breeders make the decision to accept all the "fun" (being sarcastic) aspects of having an unaltered female. Pet owners should spare themselves the annoyance. When every heat cycle rolls around you have a moody, irritable, rebelious teenage girl on your hands. Some female dogs are great escape artists and will try very hard to get to a male - ANY MALE. Some bleed profusely and need to either wear a doggy diaper, or be secluded to a part of the house that it doesn't matter if they leak discharge in. Twice a year for 3 weeks your dog doesn't get to be part of the family. It's not fair to you or her because you adopted her to bring joy to your life - not to make her go though the annoyance of a heat cycle.

My entire house is vinyl, and when my girls are in heat, I move into the two rooms they are in during that period. When my girls have puppies I sleep in the room they whelp in. Pet dogs don't generally WANT to have puppies because they want to be with their people and by forcing them to care for their pups they sometimes feel like they are in jail. Most people don't think of that. Someone else said that they care for their puppies because their hormones tell them too. It's the truth. I have kept several of my own puppies, and while their mothers like them, once they are about 4 months old they don't want to be Mom anymore. They sometimes play together - but not in any different manner than they play with the other dogs. Dogs don't WANT to be "parents". They just want to breed. :) It's a natural instinct to help them keep their species alive. :) Mine more of less enjoy having puppies - but really largely because they get special food, special treats, and a new toy at the end of each litter - and I spend more time with them than with the other dogs during their litter. :) I'm sneaky. I bribe them...

addition : Any of my girls that aren't used for breeding are spayed. All my retired breeders are automatically spayed. AND I sell 99% of my puppies on spay/neuter contracts. I am 100% pro spay/neuter. Usually the people that say altering your dog is cruel are pretty uneducated and unless they can come up with a great reason why not to spay her - I would say don't listen to them until they know more than you do...

All my dogs and cats are spayed and neutered. It's the best thing you can do for them. In no way is it cruel! Whoever told you that has no idea what they are talking about. Spaying and neutering prevents your dog from contributing from the over pet population, and she'll live a longer and healthier life. On average a dog that is fixed will live 2 years longer than a dog that is intact. It helps cure, prevent, and eliminate behvior problems.

Tell your select family members that the real cruel thing is not spaying your dog and thus enabling her to have litter after litter after litter of puppies. Wearing her out at a young age, adding to the general pet over population.

They need to crawl out of the 1800's, it's 2005 now.

Good decision on spaying or neutering your dogs. They make a better pet and are not worried about being amourous looking for a mate. Instead they concentrate on being a companion and friend for you.